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tv   BBC News  BBCNEWS  March 30, 2024 12:30pm-1:01pm GMT

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the delivery of aid. the united nations continues to warn of imminent famine in the strip. there's fresh political instability in northern ireland following the resignation of sirjeffrey donaldson, leader of the democratic unionist party. he has been charged with rape and other historical sexual offences and says he will strenuously contest the charges. counter—terrorism police in london are investigating the stabbing of pouria zeraati, a presenterfor a persian—language news channel. the broadcaster has been critical of the iranian authorities — and says mr zeraati was attacked by a group. and a treasure trove of never—before heard music from the late american singer marvin gaye has resurfaced in belgium. the discovery includes a huge collection of documents, notebooks, stage costumes and audio cassettes. you are watching bbc news.
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politics has been thrown into turmoil with the news that the leader of the democratic unionist party, sirjeffrey donaldson, has resigned after being charged with rape and other historical sexual offences. he was arrested on thursday along with a 57—year—old woman who's been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. they'll both appear in court next month. sirjeffrey is northern ireland's longest serving mp at westminster. he says he'll contest the charges. our correspondent dan johnson has more. politicians here in northern ireland are saying business as usual. this is a shock, but they will try to carry on. they are determined that things won't be destabilised here because they've been so determined, they've been working so hard. they've put things in place to get northern ireland's government operating again in the last two months, after two years of political instability, disruption when things weren't working, so so much effort is being put on. people are saying they're determined that this won't wreck that, no doubt, this is a huge blow.
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i mean, you mentioned there the power sharing only back on track in the last couple of months, which illustrates the instability, the fragility of politics in northern ireland. there must be huge concern about what happens now. yes, it may look like a solid, stable building, but the politics within it are very delicate, are fragile, have to be carefully nurtured. sirjeffrey donaldson had been so key to that in putting together the deal that brought power—sharing, brought the parties representing different interests here across northern ireland's communities together, working together again for the first time in two years. he was so influential, so important in bringing his own party into that power—sharing arrangement when there were voices opposing the deal that he had negotiated. he's been an important interlocutor with political interests in london and with dublin, as well. so with his influence now off the table, whatever happens to his court case, whether he's found guilty or not, it is what comes in his wake. how long can the interim leader hold things together?
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will he be in the position even longer? will he be elected? what happens to sirjeffrey�*s politicalseat, his constituency at westminster? there may have to be a by—election for that. what happens to the deputy first minister who is in power here but nominated by sirjeffrey donaldson himself? so with him removed, such a key, influential, long—standing figure who's been so important and was at the height of his political power, having successfully negotiated that deal which brought the northern ireland executive back into working function here just so recently, there are huge questions and although people say they are optimistic, they are determined, they are committed to making sure that things aren't destabilised here, the situation is so delicate, there are so many competing interests and voices and opinions, people who want different things, who see an opportunity, and this naturally introduces instability into that picture, which will mean that the future is uncertain, that things could play out in different directions depending on which route the democratic unionist party now takes and what that then means for the whole unionist movement that represents the people who want
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northern ireland to be part of the united kingdom. i spoke to dr clare rice — a political analyst specialising in northern ireland and uk politics. i asked her what she made of the situation. it i asked her what she made of the situation. , ., ., ., ., situation. it is one of our long serent situation. it is one of our long serpent representatives - situation. it is one of our long serpent representatives from | serpent representatives from northern ireland. he's been the leaderfor the northern ireland. he's been the leader for the last few years and is better known within the uk political contacts as the political figure that was instrumental in many ways in bringing the recent restoration are power—sharing in northern ireland. he was leader of the democratic genius party a couple of years ago as well, so he's been synonymous with northern ireland's policy with brexit and all the trials and tribulations over the last number of years. nobody quite foresaw the end effectively of his
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political career would come about in the way it has, so it has been a fairly shocking piece of news to emerge in northern ireland, and certainly one that has sent ructions in the spectrum. it's important to say that at this stage at least a lot of the comments and the efforts from across the political spectrum in northern ireland have been around sustaining power—sharing in northern ireland and keeping focus on devolution operating here within the region. hopefully at this stage there is an much cause for concern on what it will do politically speaking to the dynamics within northern ireland. that speaking to the dynamics within northern ireland.— speaking to the dynamics within northern ireland. that has been a concern that _ northern ireland. that has been a concern that power-sharing - northern ireland. that has been a concern that power-sharing reallyi concern that power—sharing really only got back on track couple of months ago, and now one of the key figures that has resigned, and people are concerned we potentially have another period of instability in northern irish politics. yes. in northern irish politics. yes, there are _ in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed _ in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed views - in northern irish politics. yes, there are mixed views on - in northern irish politics. yes, i there are mixed views on this. in northern irish politics. yes there are mixed views on this. there are some views which say this is an
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internal matter to the dup and will be relatively contained so long as there is a maturity of sorts amongst there is a maturity of sorts amongst the political actors within the devolved institutions. it shouldn't impact terms of devolution and stability within northern ireland. what it means specifically for the dup, he's described as a glue that held the party together. absolutely. this was the — held the party together. absolutely. this was the point _ held the party together. absolutely. this was the point i _ held the party together. absolutely. this was the point i was _ held the party together. absolutely. this was the point i was coming - held the party together. absolutely. this was the point i was coming to l this was the point i was coming to that for the dup it's a massive shock for unionism, add a shock. looking ahead to the general election it was a ultras challenge for the dup in the context of the windsor framework aftermath. there's a lot of discontent within the dup at the decision to return to stormont. the reason for it collapse was in protest at the northern ireland protocol. there a lot of
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internal ructions within the dup now. there's a broad acceptance that the interim leader gavin robinson has been appointed to take this role, but there's an opportunity for some of those more descent voices coming through in the dup. a lot of pressure from the traditional unionist voice party on the dup, as there would have been anyway. voices that are heightened and are being seen on social media to be using this broader set of circumstances as a type of political leader of sorts against the dup. it is setting a very difficult toxic set of circumstances, particularly within unionism going into the election. for the dup that will be difficult. on top of managing its internal divisions and having to deal with discontent insert a quarters of unison for the return to stormont.
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there is a challenge potentially to stability of the institution going forward, but i think as long as the political momentum remains there to push through this and see it's an internal dynamic within one of the parties in power—sharing, we are on stable enough ground for the time being. household bills across britain are due to increase on monday, in what some people are calling "awful april". while energy prices themselves are due to fall, everything from internet charges, to water bills and council tax will be going up. our cost of living correspondent colletta smith has the details. we are working out what the bills will mean next month for her family. at something hanging over us. rachel is on maternity leave,
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price rises are hitting them hard. it's so pennypinching, there isn't a gap at all in the salary of my husband and everything goes towards the house. what you could go back on, you do not have. totally, and that's a scary place to be. it's taken away our reserves at such a crunch time. the energy might be coming down but other bills might be going up, council tax over £200 every month. that's a huge hit. most councils in england are increasing their rate by 5% from the 1st of april like here in southport, but some in dire financial straits have been allowed to increase it by more than not. scotland is freezing council tax but some areas are set for a much bigger increase. you will look like sandra bullock at the end of it. i live in a three bedroom
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semi detached house, i pay roughly £120 every month. it's a big outlay out of my pension. compared to some of my friends i who live down south, we are paying a lot more in a lesser house. whatever is going on in your council there will be discounts on reductions available, around 25% off if you live alone but if you have certain types of disability or if some people in your house are full—time students it's worth finding out if you qualify for a discount. when it comes to mobile and broadband charges most companies are increasing prices by around 8% from the start of april, if you are on a deal which allows for mid—contract rises. it's cheeky changing it. when you're in the middle of a fixed deal. _ having a mobile phone bill that will stay the same every month, guaranteed not to go up is a godsend.
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the key to beating this is to find out whether you are beyond the end of your contract. for a phone easy, send a text to 85075 and you will get a message pinning back telling you your contract details and if you are beyond your contract or nearly there the likelihood is you could shop around for a better deal. broadband, you are much more likely to ring them or log on to your account. when it comes to water bills in england and wales, average charges are going up by an extra £28 per year as well as cutting back on usage, there are schemes to help. every water company offers a social tariff for people on lower incomes that can reduce your bills. what is on offer and who it applies to varies so it is worth finding out but in england and wales there is a scheme called water sure and that can reduce your bills if you're on certain types of benefit and you need to use lots of water for medical reasons or because you have three or more children of school age in the house. it's more of a worry.
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it's hard. i'm on a fixed income, i've been retired 15 years, the money has got less. you can't go out for a tea and cake any more because even that has i become too expensive. round and round the garden... while gas and electricity prices are falling in april, rachel and her family expect no extra cash in their pocket and so many other price increases are coming. let's return to the story that previously unheard recordings of the american soul singer marvin gaye — who died a0 years ago — have reportedly been found in belgium. the musician worked in ostend in the 1980s. singer ruby turner is a massive marvin gaye fan and cites him as an influence on her music. she gave me her reaction to the news.
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i'm so intrigued. i really am as an artist and a fan, someone who grew up on marvin gaye. he was like the backdrop of our music, my musical education back in the day, absolutely intrigued. and i'm kind of concerned as to where this is all going. i mean, his children. this thing about this moral thing, you know, should be handed back, should it not? i don't know how they're going to sort that little problem out. yeah, it seems like quite a legal conundrum, doesn't it? but it must be really exciting to think that there are unheard recordings of his music out there to be listened to if indeed we ever get to listen to them. well, i really hope we do get a chance to listen to it. i mean, i had this information last night while i was in italy, so i had all the information that i was going to do this interview today. and so when i heard that things have been found, that to me it was almost like, you know, the art world is finding a picasso or a caravaggio.
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the art world will be like absolutely excited. and that's how i felt. oh, my goodness me. i can't wait to hear it. and that's really how i feel. and then as i read and found out, there's a little bit more to it than that and who owned what, etc., etc.. so i really do hope there will be compromise. and i really do hope, you know, the musicologists and fans like myself will get a chance to hear what he was doing back then. i mean, you know, what an icon of an artist, you know? and yeah, i really do hope they do reach a compromise and we can get to hear it, you know? ruby, just tell us about why you love marvin gaye so much. what was it about him? was it the songs? was it the lyrics? what was so special about him? goodness me. i think everybody would say marvin gaye was special to us. i mean, you know, that voice is that liquid gold sound that he had, that charm, that sensuality. i mean, that gentleness,
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that vulnerability. and as a performer, you were engaged with his work, you know, and the song stood, you know, they stand the test of time. even now, they're still doing downloading this year and now finding new stuff. we're intrigued and can't wait to hear what it was that he's been, that he was doing. but as a kid, you know, a teenager, that was a backdrop to my musical education, my whole soul vibe. he was part of that package of great artists. you know, i kind of grew up on the sam cooke, and otis redding and ray charles, aretha, bob marley, van morrison, dylan. and marvin is right in there in the mix, as far as i'm concerned, you know, in terms of influences on my life or my work and the kind of music i love and listen to. yeah. and it's hard to believe it's a0 years since he died. that's what's so interesting as to how this these this is just been discovered.
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i'm curious as to why it's taken a0 years for it to come out for these archive things to be found. yes, devastated when we heard. but then we've lost a, you know, a brother, soul brother in the music fraternity. i mean, it was a hard time and devastating time for his family, of course, and music fans and love of marvin gaye. so it's kind of a strange time because i've been in this industry a5 years. so imagine all that time before i started doing my own thing, i was listening to marvin and learning, we're learning from the masters. and he was one of those, you know, and yeah, i think it's an interesting time and i really do coming back to what's going on now that some kind of compromise is reached between the people who own the stuff and the family. and so we get to hear, you know, what he was doing. i'm curious.
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it does seem hard to believe, doesn't it, that if there are unrecorded, never heard before versions of his voice, that they wouldn't be put out in the public domain? that would seem wrong, wouldn't it? i think so. i think there's a real disservice. and i think, you know, you know, marvin himself, i don't think he would have been doing all of that if he didn't intend for it to be heard. i mean, clearly, if it's rumblings ofjust nothing, then fair enough. but i don't know. i don't know what it, what have they got? what has he got? i think there was a mention of one particular song that he reckons is better than i thought. really? now you've got my attention. ruby turner echoing the thoughts of many they would like to hear this potentially never heard before by marvin gaye. it's the hit �*90s show that's taken saturday nights by storm — tonight sees the grand final of this series of gladiators. the reboot made its debut
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to an audience of over eight million injanuary, and tonight the lycra—clad contenders will be taking on tests of speed and strength as they aim to lift the trophy. let's take a look at the show. contender, ready?! commentator: she's set off at a great speed here, has marie—louise, and she's straightaway into zone three. in red, it's finley. has to keep his balance and get him that travelator. and he's been tackled. that will be game over. can she fare any better? she's holding her own here and she's knocked fire to her knees. bursting into her
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stride straightaway. and the edge proving no match for her. three points turns to six. finley nearly got there. he might yet if he can get free. he has. he's not going to close that gap on marie—louise. he's nearly at the top already. this has been some climb. she's going to get ten points. brilliant from marie—louise. smiling, enjoyed himself up on that podium. he lasted 23 seconds. and he's putting up a good fight again. he's already taken giant further than he's ever been. it is exhausting. let's speak to health coach and former gladiatorjane omorogbe. we know her as rio. thank you for joining us. part of the reason it's been such as excess is it is almost
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unchanged from when you were on its backin unchanged from when you were on its back in the 1990s. what have you felt when you have watched it? it’s felt when you have watched it? it's been felt when you have watched it? it�*s been amazing. the first show, i sat on my sober with my heart pounding. i can remember what it feels like to be in the arena with the atmosphere. it's so electric. you are right, it is the same show, the format is the same, but has been revamped in a magical way that this is perhaps arguably even better than ours. i think it is brilliant, utterly brilliant, and i love the way it is connecting with people that watch the show when they were kids, and now they are on the show as contenders. did you watch it? 30 ears contenders. did you watch it? 30 years ago? absolutely. totally i think you have some memorabilia with
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you. i think you have some memorabilia with ou. ., , a ., ., you. i do, the stick in front of me. i used to love _ you. i do, the stick in front of me. i used to love this _ you. i do, the stick in front of me. i used to love this game. - you. i do, the stick in front of me. | i used to love this game. actually, i used to love this game. actually, i will be honest, the first year i won because i was terrified of getting hit and knocked off the podium. the idea of falling uncontrolled and not being able to decide how i was going to land, that scared me. we decide how i was going to land, that scared me. ~ ., , ., . i. scared me. we are 'ust watching you, rio. do i scared me. we are 'ust watching you, ri0- do i call _ scared me. we are 'ust watching you, rio. de i canyou — scared me. we are just watching you, rio. do i call you jane _ scared me. we are just watching you, rio. do i call you jane ought - scared me. we are just watching you, rio. do i call you jane ought rio? - rio. do i call you jane ought rio? either, i don't mind. [30 rio. do i call you jane ought rio? either, i don't mind.— either, i don't mind. do you actually get _ either, i don't mind. do you actually get hurt? _ either, i don't mind. do you actually get hurt? it - either, i don't mind. do you actually get hurt? it did, . either, i don't mind. do you i actually get hurt? it did, yes, 100%. it did _ actually get hurt? it did, yes, 100%. it did hurt _ actually get hurt? it did, yes, 10096. it did hurt very - actually get hurt? it did, yes, 10096. it did hurt very much. | actually get hurt? it did, yes, | 10096. it did hurt very much. i 100%. it did hurt very much. i always felt so bad if i knew i had hurt someone else. it was a standing joke i would say sorry after hitting someone. i didn't want to damage anybody, but it was myjob to put them through their paces and see a goodwin. that was the name of the
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game. it did hurt, there were some injuries. game. it did hurt, there were some in'uries. ., ., ., ., injuries. you had a fascinating “ourne injuries. you had a fascinating journey to _ injuries. you had a fascinating journey to becoming - injuries. you had a fascinating journey to becoming a - injuries. you had a fascinating i journey to becoming a gladiator. take us through it. in short, i was an ambulance driver in hastings and john anderson contacted me through a modelling competition i did, and asked me if i could try out for gladiators. even though i was strong and fit, i wasn't gladiator level because that's another level. i got a coach, who is amazing, and i trained with him for six to eight months and tried out again and got in. in that process i gave up my job, sold everything i had and trained with tony three times a day. just in the hope i would get through. i think that is the magic of gladiators. i don't know if you guys saw marie—louise against kerry
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in the semifinals, kerry had a nine second lead and you thought she had it in the bag. but not giving up and keep going, believing in yourself. that is the magic behind the show. it is a game show, entertainment, but it is so much more than that. it certainly is, and the viewing figures have been extraordinary, a testamentary but the people of this generation are loving it. rio, thank you betalking to us. idistill generation are loving it. rio, thank you betalking to us.— you betalking to us. will you watch toniaht? you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. — you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. it _ you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. it is _ you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. it is a _ you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. it is a .3 _ you betalking to us. will you watch tonight? 10096. it is a .3 million - tonight? 100%. it is a .3 million viewers that watch on average every week, all of you enjoy it and love it all. i've got to say, there is a podcast that has been going, and that has really helped keep the spirit of gladiators alive, because it has interviewed as and other gladiators, and that has helped this
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to happen that extra kick. it’s gladiators, and that has helped this to happen that extra kick.— to happen that extra kick. it's been a brilliant journey. _ to happen that extra kick. it's been a brilliant journey. we _ to happen that extra kick. it's been a brilliant journey. we are - to happen that extra kick. it's been a brilliant journey. we are out - to happen that extra kick. it's been a brilliant journey. we are out of i a brilliantjourney. we are out of time. i like to think you will watch it with your stick biocide. thank you for speaking to us. —— stick by your side. if you join a choir, you might expect to learn to sing in beautiful harmony. but now, there's a singing group with a difference. the can't sing choir uk prides itself on being tone deaf and giving everyone a chance to sing — even if they can't hold a tune. it was set up a year ago and since then its gone and since then it's gone from strength to strength. our reporter becki thomas went to meet them. music: zadok the priest by george frideric handel. harmony, pitch and timing — everything you would expect from a traditional choir. but this one in new waltham, near grimsby, is doing it a little bit differently.
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this is the can't sing choir uk where singing is for anyone, even if you can't hit the right note. never allowed to join a choir at school. we might mauler one or two tunes, but that doesn't matter because some of them sound all right and sound good. we have a lot of fun and we have a lot of laughs. hey, hey, hey. whenever i'm out with friends oranything, it's... everybody tells me to shut up. but here, i'm encouraged. i love singing, and i know i can't. i'm tone deaf and i'll admit it. i struggle with mental health, so it's a great thing for me. it's fantastic because it's so uplifting. you walk out of here with a big grin on your face. naomi set up the choir along with two others in lincolnshire. they all came together to rehearse and celebrate their first birthday. it's a great way of making friends. makes you feel really, really good and better about yourself. just because it gives you a natural high, it releases all your feel good endorphins.
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you have an absolute giggle and it becomes more than the choir. it becomes, you're like a community. you don't have to feel awkward or embarrassed or anything and it doesn't matter. we start early in life. it just is fun. she says the group supports those who are experiencing bereavement, loneliness or who have a health condition. nice to be happy. she doesn't sing, but she dances. i don't know if you know it, but i enjoy it as much as sylvia. i like singing and every week she says, we are going out. we are going. well done. that's a big one. becky thomas, bbc news. brilliant. i am speechless. time for the weather. the weather is quieter
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compared to the last few days. more sunshine around, fewer showers, much drier day, feeling warmer as well in a stubbly breeze, but come monday further rain clouds on the way in the week ahead is looking quite unsettled. let's look at the satellite picture, a jacuzzi this gap of fine weather not very big, rain clouds to the east and west, but the winds are coming from the south as a slightly warmer direction. showers breaking out, so not a completely dry day. primarily a dry day. temperatures around about 12-15 c, a dry day. temperatures around about 12—15 c, nothing spectacular. tonight there will be some rain ending up in northern ireland, but for most it is a clear and calm night. a touch of frost in some northern areas, and mist and fog forming around central england all the way down to the south—west. another thing worth mentioning is
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the british summer time change, so the british summer time change, so the clocks go forward at 1am. i will leave you to work that out. this is tomorrow, some sunshine across the west, but noticed this bank of cloud pushing in on an easterly breeze of the north sea. it will be a chilly day on the north sea coast, around east anglia, the west midlands and generally less part of the country often clouded, bits of rain. it won't feel warm tomorrow across the east of the country. come monday, a weather front sweeps in and that spells rain. exactly where it will fall is still a little questionable, may be further north, less orbit or more, but the broad message is a rather cloudy day and a chance of catching some rain across the uk. perhaps drierfurther catching some rain across the uk. perhaps drier further north—west. temperatures a little disappointing.
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tuesday, wednesday into thursday, more weather systems, they are sweeping in on the strengthening south—westerly breeze. and take a look at this outlook, these icons a chance of encountering rain everyday suite. that is it, goodbye. live from london. this is bbc news. the us is said to have authorised billions of dollars worth of arms to israel, and as the un warns of imminent famine in gaza, our correspondent
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joins a us aid drop. they're just opening the hatch ready to release the aid down into gaza. there is no organised distribution system down there. there it goes. fresh political instability in northern ireland with the resignation of democratic unionist party leader, sirjeffrey donaldson. he says he will strenuously contest historical sexual offence charges. ukraine imposes emergency blackouts in seven regions of ukraine after a wave of russian missile strikes — the second large—scale attack in a week. hello, i'm sarah campbell. we have a busy half hour of news ahead and we will be live by the thames. it ahead and we will be live by the thames. , ., ., thames. it is the oxford and cambridge — thames. it is the oxford and cambridge boat _ thames. it is the oxford and cambridge boat race -
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thames. it is the oxford and j cambridge boat race starting thames. it is the oxford and i cambridge boat race starting in thames. it is the oxford and - cambridge boat race starting in the next couple of hours.

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